diff --git a/teressa-copeland-homes/src/app/portal/(protected)/documents/[docId]/_components/PreparePanel.tsx b/teressa-copeland-homes/src/app/portal/(protected)/documents/[docId]/_components/PreparePanel.tsx
index 10022a4..a16d985 100644
--- a/teressa-copeland-homes/src/app/portal/(protected)/documents/[docId]/_components/PreparePanel.tsx
+++ b/teressa-copeland-homes/src/app/portal/(protected)/documents/[docId]/_components/PreparePanel.tsx
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ interface PreparePanelProps {
   currentStatus: string;
 }
 
-function parseEmails(raw: string): string[] {
-  return raw.split(/[\n,]+/).map((e) => e.trim()).filter(Boolean);
+function parseEmails(raw: string | undefined): string[] {
+  return (raw ?? '').split(/[\n,]+/).map((e) => e.trim()).filter(Boolean);
 }
 
 function isValidEmail(email: string): boolean {
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ function isValidEmail(email: string): boolean {
 
 export function PreparePanel({ docId, defaultEmail, clientName, currentStatus }: PreparePanelProps) {
   const router = useRouter();
-  const [recipients, setRecipients] = useState(defaultEmail);
+  const [recipients, setRecipients] = useState(defaultEmail ?? '');
   const [textFillData, setTextFillData] = useState<Record<string, string>>({});
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(false);
   const [result, setResult] = useState<{ ok: boolean; message: string } | null>(null);